Vartanantz Day Commemorated At New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral

By Florence Avakian

Despite the passage of 15 centuries, Vartanantz remains one of the most significant events in Armenian history. Vartan Mamigonian and his comrades—vastly outnumbered against a well-armed Persian empire—lost the battle but were morally victorious, preserving their religion and convictions.

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March 12, 2014

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Vartanantz Day Commemorated At New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral

By Florence Avakian

Despite the passage of 15 centuries, Vartanantz remains one of the most significant events in Armenian history. Vartan Mamigonian and his comrades—vastly outnumbered against a well-armed Persian empire—lost the battle but were morally victorious, preserving their religion and convictions.

On Thursday, February 27, the feast day of the decisive Battle of Avarayr was observed under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), and the Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan.

Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in St. Vartan Cathedral by Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, pastor of the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y., a dinner prepared and served by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mid-Atlantic Lodges and Otyags took place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.

Master of ceremonies Edward Barsamian warmly welcomed the more than 300 people gathered to mark the importance of the event. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian offered the invocation, and American and Armenian national anthems were sung by Christina Haroutunian and Nicholas Bompart, respectively.

In a powerful and thoughtful message, keynote speaker the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Diocese's Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, called on all Armenians to reflect on the significance and relevance of Vartanank for today's world.

Fr. Findikyan, a noted church scholar who teaches at St. Nersess Seminary and Notre Dame University, focused on the true meaning of Vartanantz put forth by the historian Yeghishe, whose "extremely refined interpretation is overwhelmingly theological. Through Yeghishe's profound reflection on Vartanantz, we find the key to understanding and addressing some of the most central issues in Armenian community life and consciousness today," he stated.

Valorous Self-Sacrifice

"Yeghishe calls what St. Vartan and his companions did ‘holy martyrdom, a valorous self-sacrifice.' They knowingly sacrificed their lives for the sake of Christ. To go to battle against the Persians was to imitate Christ," he continued. "Therefore, what we do as Armenians and Christians represents much more than ancient and colorful traditions, and is higher than merely preserving the nation."

Today, we too face the same "invisible enemy"—exemplified by the "disintegration of our communities, our church parishes in the United States with their declining numbers of attendees, [and] declining enthusiasm and zeal."

The invisible enemy "fragments our families, lures our children away from family and church, and fosters anxiety, loneliness, depression and addictions," he related.

But "the most dangerous enemy of our people and community is our own ignorance," Fr. Findikyan declared with emphasis. "We must rediscover the unique expression of Christ's gospel as revealed in the lives and writings of our Armenian saints, and through the mystical beauty of our sacred music and art. All of these are unique expressions of the Christian soul of the Armenian people, monuments that hold vast significance for our lives today," said Fr. Findikyan to thunderous clapping.

Dr. Edwared Sanossian, speaking in the absence of Knights of Vartan "Grand Commander" Nigoghos Atinizian, called the Battle of Avarayr "one of our greatest spiritual and moral victories, commemorating a great defining moment for the Armenian nation and spirit. Let us live by [Vartan's] example of bravery and heroism in standing up for our beliefs, and never giving up on our vision. Vartan Mamigonian built the foundation of our existence as Christian Armenians, and we will forever declare and honor his memory as his devoted and proud Knights of Vartan."

Emma Artun was present as the representative of the Daughters of Vartan "Grand Matron," Lisa Kradjian.

In a memorable interlude, the Shnorhali Choir under the direction of Vagharshak Ohanyan, accompanied on the piano by Nevart Dadourian, presented several beloved songs including Norahrash, Plpuln Avarayri, Sardarabad, and Diramayr—the latter a soulful work sung with great feeling by soloist Shakeh McMahon.

The final offering, Vartanantz Aspetner, with soloists Alyne Corrigan and Nicholas Bompart, was offered with great enthusiasm, bringing on a repeat performance as the audience stood and joined in rhythmically clapping and singing with the choir.

Trial and Decision

In an inspiring message, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian called the Vartanantz battle, "a turning point of Armenian Church history. We celebrate this momentous event before Lent. It is not a coincidence. The story embodies the Christian way of life, the life of Christ. It is a supreme example of trial and decision."

Like Christ, the heroes of the Vartanantz battle and those who survived the Genocide endured hardship and sacrifice, the Primate declared.

And finally, the virtue of patience was illustrated by Christ, Vartan, and those in the Genocide.

"We will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Genocide next year—not as a cause for weeping, but for celebrating, and also for judging our own lives," noted the Primate. "How much do we follow the examples of Christ and Vartan? Let us sing our own haghdanag (victory)," he declared with strong feeling, to a standing ovation.

The evening concluded with a benediction by the Primate, and the singing of the Hayr Mer by all present.

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Photos attached (by Yn. Karine Malkhasyan)

Photo 1: Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan delivers a sermon at St. Vartan Cathedral.

Photo 2: Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan speaks about the significance of the Battle of Avarayr.

Photo 3: The Shnorhali Choir performs.

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